FORMER Tatton MP and BBC war correspondent Martin Bell is visiting Merseyside to help raise money for a trauma and reconciliation centre in Northern Ireland.

Mr Bell, who resigned from the BBC at the 1997 General Election to stand as an independent against Conservative MP Neil Hamilton, will be giving a lecture in the city on September 11.

Famous as the 'man in the white suit' as a war reporter who was wounded in Bosnia, Mr Bell, 62, was left jobless two months ago after being defeated in the battle for the Conservative seat of Brentwood and Ongar in Essex.

The lecture, Reflections of a War Zone, followed by a question and answer session, has been organised by the Merseyside branch of British Red Cross to raise money for the Omagh Trauma and Reconciliation Centre.

The appeal, which aims to raise #70,000, was launched by Red Cross national chairman John McClure, who is taking part in a sponsored walk from Manchester to Omagh.

Mr McClure, who began his career with the Red Cross as a branch medical officer in Belfast in 1972, will attend Mr Bell's lecture and spend a night in Liverpool after walking the first leg from Manchester to Runcorn.

Mr Bell, who became an ambassador for Unicef earlier this month, said: 'You can't say no to the Red Cross. I have had involvement with the Red Cross throughout my time in war zones and I always try to do my bit for them.'

In July, at the request of the Red Cross, Mr Bell spoke at a conference in Sarajevo on the protection of journalists.

Speaking of his involvement with Unicef, he added: 'I'm the poor man's Geri Halliwell.

'I imagine they will be sending me to places they won't risk sending real celebrities to.'

The Omagh Trauma and Reconciliation Centre is being set up by the Sperrin Trust in a large family home near the centre of the city.

It is the site where support was given following the tragedy that killed 29 people in August 1998.

The centre will provide support for trauma victims, education and training, research facilities and humanitarian activities.

Mr Bell will give his lecture at the Royal Sun Alliance Lecture Theatre, New Hall Place, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, at 7.30pm, on September 11. Admission is by ticket only at #10 each, available by phoning 0151-709